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Volkswagen Golf vs Volkswagen Notchback type 3: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Volkswagen Golf
75%
MOT pass rate · 1,830,545 vehicles
Volkswagen Notchback type 3
82%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Golf (75%) and Volkswagen Notchback type 3 (82%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Volkswagen Golf Volkswagen Notchback type 3
MOT pass rate 75% 82% ✓
MOT failure rate 25% 18% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 2.0 ✓ 2.1
Dangerous-fault share 2% 0% ✓
Average mileage 117,668 mi 76,980 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 1,830,545 1

Most common faults

Volkswagen Golf

  1. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  4. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  5. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  6. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Volkswagen Notchback type 3

  1. Nearside Front Upper Trailing arm has slight play in a pin bearing (2.4.G.2)
  2. Offside Front Upper Trailing arm has slight play in a pin bearing (2.4.G.2)
  3. Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)
  4. Nearside Front Upper Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)
  5. Nearside Front Upper Torsion bar slight play at an end fixing (2.4.E.2)
  6. Offside Front Upper Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Golf (75%) and Volkswagen Notchback type 3 (82%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Volkswagen Golf report Full Volkswagen Notchback type 3 report Most reliable cars

Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.